Women of the Word holds anniversary celebration

by jmaloni

Fri, Dec 21st 2012 08:00 pm

"There
is such joy in the building when you are here," said Pastor Larry
Baird of Trinity United Methodist Church as he addressed the 110
women who attended the 25th anniversary celebration of Women of the
Word on Thursday, Dec. 13.

Trinity Church is hosting the
interdenominational Christian group for a second year as the women
from Grand Island and surrounding communities in Erie and Niagara
counties engage in a weekly small group and lecture-formatted Bible
study. The 2012-13 topic is the Old Testament Book of Genesis.

Women
of the Word, nicknamed WOW, began on Grand Island in 1988 with
lessons brought from California by Barbie Bird of Whitehaven Road
Baptist Church. Together with 26 women from other Island churches,
Bird approached the Grand Island Ministerium for permission to begin
the group, opening it to women of all ages (and their pre-school
children). The pastors told Bird that the interdenominational nature
of the group would prove to be a problem, but to go ahead and try.

The
group launched in the fall of that year, with lessons written by Lois
Lindley, founder of Workmen of the Word in California. Other WOW
groups have functioned across the country and internationally, but
the Grand Island version is the only one with members having diverse
Christian church affiliations. All groups have the common goals of
using the Bible alone as their final theological authority, of
increasing Bible literacy and of nurturing a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ.

Honored
at the anniversary celebration was Beryl Kinney, who has functioned
as one of the teaching leaders at WOW since its inception. After
watching a commemorative video tribute, Kinney commented that WOW's
success must come completely from God, especially in light of the
fact that people said the concept would never work. She elaborated
with a verse from the Old Testament book of Proverbs: "Trust in the
Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In
all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."

Women
of the Word is on Christmas break right now, but will resume small
group and lecture time on Thursday, Jan. 3, at 9:30 a.m. Women are
encouraged to join at any time during the WOW year. No previous Bible
experience is necessary. For a nominal fee, care for infants and a
pre-school program for 3-to-5-year-olds are available to moms and
grandmothers who attend.

For
more information, email [email protected],
or contact Patty Cancilla at 716-773-9109 or Kathy Duff at
716-773-2684.